Nepal Braces for More Floods as Early Monsoon Raises Fears Among Survivors

May 25,2025: The early arrival of the monsoon in India has cast a shadow over Nepal, where flood survivors from last year are still struggling to rebuild their lives. For residents like Muna Tamang of Kavrepalanchowk district, the memory of the September 2024 floods is still raw. Her home and land along the Roshi River were swept away, leaving behind nothing but a sandy embankment.

“Last year, it rained for days before the floods came. Around 5 or 6 in the morning, the river started to rise, reaching the level of the suspension bridge. The bridge gave way, and the floodwaters surged through our homes,” Muna recalled from her small general store, which now doubles as a roadside eatery.

Also Read: Indian All-Party Delegation, Led by Baijayant Panda, Strengthens Anti-Terror Diplomacy in Bahrain

This year, the monsoon has already arrived in Kerala, India—eight days earlier than usual and the earliest in 16 years. For flood victims like Muna, the news signals a season of renewed fear, as Nepal prepares for above-average rainfall during the 2025 monsoon season, expected to span from June to September.

Last year’s flooding severely impacted the BP Highway, Nepal’s vital link between the capital and the southern plains. Portions of the road were completely washed away by the Roshi River, cutting off entire communities and halting transportation. Temporary embankments have allowed limited movement, but full reconstruction is still months, if not years, away.

According to South Asian meteorologists, most of the region, including Nepal, will likely see above-normal monsoon rains this year. Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) forecasts a 55–65% probability of higher-than-average rainfall in parts of Karnali, Lumbini, and Gandaki Provinces. Other regions face similarly elevated risks.

The DHM has urged preparedness, warning of possible landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas. Their seasonal outlook also predicts hotter daytime temperatures in western and central Nepal.

The World Bank’s recent Nepal Development Update highlighted the devastating toll of last year’s floods and landslides, which resulted in damages equivalent to 0.8% of the country’s GDP—around Rs 46.7 billion—affecting agriculture, infrastructure, and social sectors.

Further downstream, the Roshi River caused significant destruction in Sindhuli district, damaging a 10-kilometre section of the BP Highway. The highway, which took two decades to complete with Japanese support, now lies in partial ruin. Diversions and makeshift embankments allow only limited access.

In Khurkot, a central point along the highway, residents still remember the collapse of a vital bridge over the Sunkoshi River. “The river carried logs and debris that got stuck in the bridge. Eventually, the pressure was too much, and it collapsed,” said local resident Amrit Pariyar.

Though a temporary bridge was erected within days, the fear of another catastrophic flood looms large. With the main highway still damaged, a repeat of last year’s conditions could leave many communities without an escape route.

The Division Road Office in Bhaktapur estimates that full reconstruction of the flood-damaged BP Highway will cost around Rs 9.66 billion. Eight of the 12 kilometers between Chowkidanada and Kaladhunga were completely destroyed. Experts have recommended rebuilding the route using a combination of RCC retaining walls, gabion walls, and new bridges.

“If there’s heavy rain again, vehicle movement will stop. We’re prepared to rebuild embankments once the water recedes, but until then, movement will be impossible,” said Homendra Kumar Yadav, a sub-engineer overseeing the recovery efforts.

With monsoon season fast approaching, Nepal’s flood survivors are not only rebuilding their homes but bracing for another season of uncertainty.